Peak District Lead Mining Museum
Museum in the Grand Pavilion at Matlock Bath on Derbyshire lead mining, with guided tours of the 1920s Temple Mine.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum tells the story of lead mining in the Derbyshire Peak District and of the families who worked in the industry. It is housed in the Grand Pavilion on South Parade in Matlock Bath and is run as a charity by the Peak District Mines Historical Society.
A short walk across the road, on Temple Walk, the society looks after Temple Mine, a lead and fluorspar mine worked in the 1920s. Visitors can join a guided underground tour that passes workings from the 1920s and 1950s as well as some that are more than 200 years old. On the way they see miners’ tools and equipment, a rare 1936 locomotive and a range of rocks and minerals, and afterwards they can try panning for minerals.
Highlights
- Guided underground tour of the 1920s Temple Mine
- Mine workings up to 200 years old
- A rare 1936 mine locomotive
- Miners’ tools and equipment
- Mineral panning after the tour
- Shop with minerals, souvenirs and books
- Operated by
- Peak District Mines Historical Society
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £8Visitors aged 65 and over, and students with a student card |
| Children & teens | £5free up to age 3 · Child ages 4 to 17; children aged 3 and under are free. |
| Seniors | £8Age 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers are admitted free with identification. |
| Students & apprentices | £8A student card is required. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £7 per personGroups of 10 or more must book in advance; museum only or mine only £7, museum and mine £12 per adult. Guided mine sessions cost £22 each and take 17 people at a time. |
| Families | £252 adults and up to 3 children (museum only). |
| Mine tour only – adult | £8.50Includes mineral panning; guided sessions only |
| Mine tour only – child (4–17) | £5 |
| Mine tour only – concession | £8 |
| Mine tour only – family | £252 adults and up to 3 children |
| Museum and mine – adult | £16 |
| Museum and mine – child (4–17) | £8 |
| Museum and mine – concession | £15 |
| Museum and mine – family | £442 adults and up to 3 children |
The prices shown are for the museum only. Museum tickets are valid for one year for any number of return visits. Reduced prices are offered with some discount vouchers such as Derbyshire Day Out (for example £7.50 for an adult museum or mine ticket).
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has two levels joined by stairs with no ramp; the ground floor is fully accessible and pushchairs can be left downstairs. Temple Mine is not accessible because it has a steep entrance slope, steps, low roof sections and uneven, sometimes wet floors. The museum has staff toilets only; public toilets are at the north end of the village.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £25 · 2 adults and up to 3 children (museum only). |
The museum has things to do for young visitors and the mine tour is popular with families. Young children must walk or be carried in a sling in the mine. A family visit page, school visits and adult group visits are offered.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
A 2-hour pay-and-display car park is next to the museum and two long-stay car parks are within a ten-minute walk (no card payments). The Masson Mills car park on the A6, about a ten-minute walk away, is cheaper and accepts cash, card and app payments.
The museum is reachable by car, bus and train. Sat nav postcode DE4 3NR.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells minerals, souvenirs, books, cold drinks and confectionery. There is no café; Matlock Bath has many places to eat.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The mine can only be visited on a guided session (about an hour, hard hats provided, sensible footwear recommended) and numbers are limited, so booking by phone is advised. Allow 1–2 hours for the museum, or 2–3 hours for museum and mine together. Well-behaved dogs on short leads are allowed in the museum and the mine, though the museum may refuse entry on busy tours. |
